Wastewater Technician

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of Americas largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms, Bison, Milk for Life, and Intense Milk. Here, youll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

Job Summary:

The Wastewater Treatment System (WWTS) Technician will be responsible for the daily oversight of the WWTS for the North Country Dairy, LLC (NCD) facility. This role is responsible for ensuring full regulatory compliance with occupational health, safety, and environmental laws while cultivating a strong, proactive safety culture and driving environmental initiatives. The WWTS Technician partners with plant leadership, operations, maintenance, safety, and quality teams to ensure safe, clean, and compliant operation of the WWTS.

Key Responsibilities:

- Ensure facility compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations (EPA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, etc.).

- Manage compliance efforts for environmental permits including air, wastewater, stormwater, and waste management.

- Conduct routine site inspections, environmental audits, and risk assessments.

- Monitor environmental programs including spill prevention, waste reduction, and recycling initiatives.

- Assist in meeting DOH requirements related to drinking water.

- Oversee daily operations associated with the WWTS including general housekeeping, taking routine samples, coordinating and tracking PM tasks, and ensuring that the system is maintained to be in good working order.

- Operate, monitor, and maintain wastewater treatment equipment including aeration system and blowers.

- Monitor wastewater treatment processes to ensure compliance with discharge permits, environmental regulations, and facility operating requirements.

- Adjust chemical feed systems and treatment parameters to optimize wastewater treatment performance and system efficiency.

- Performing basic inspection, testing and maintenance tasks which will require a strong mechanical aptitude including blower repairs, inspecting air piping systems, using a mower with brush hog, removing cattails or other botanicals from lagoons, cutting trees or removing brush, adding barley straw to the lagoons annually, etc.

- Obtaining wastewater samples, running analysis in the lab, and completing chains of custody when sending samples to labs to run analysis. Sampling includes grab and composite sampling at different locations throughout the WWTS.

- Maintain accurate operational records, laboratory results, compliance documentation, and regulatory reporting requirements.

- Coordinate maintenance and repair activities with Engineering, Maintenance, and external service providers as needed.

- Analyze site-specific WWTS performance data and recommend corrective actions or improvements.

- Maintain accurate records of all environmental documentation, permits, and compliance activities.

- Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to incorporate environmentally sound practices in day-to-day operations.

- Lead environmental incident investigations and root cause analysis.

- Deliver environmental compliance training to plant personnel.

- Support sustainability goals related to energy use, water conservation, and waste reduction.

- Involvement in daily huddle meetings to provide a safety department presence and message.

- Walkthroughs to ensure boots on the ground with a focus on behavior and adherence to safe work practices

- Engaging with personnel to promote worker participation in proactive safety

- Review and prioritize Open Action Items and update status

- Review and follow up of near misses and hazard recognition in the facility

- Review weekly Supervisor Audits and ensure that follow-up actions are added to the Action List in Teams and addressed

- Oversee and facilitate the implementation of safety programs and procedures

- New Employee Safety Orientations

- Implement the health and safety program requirements at the facility

- Assisting with the development of Lockout/Tagout procedures

- Perform proactive safety functions

Qualifications:

Strong science background and mechanical skills are a pre-requisite for the position. Work within a union environment among a cross-disciplinary population. Must be able to work individually and in a team setting. Organize and manage time and competing priorities. Flexibility to train and meet with staff overnight or afternoon shifts. On-call 24/7/365 with duties shared among coworkers. The team includes technical and administrative managers, engineers, trade professionals, administrators, financial professionals, and laboratory scientists. The above requirements represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and experience:

- A BS degree in Sciences (biology and chemistry), EHS or in a related field preferred

- 5+ years of combined experience in industrial, manufacturing, and/or wastewater treatment environments required; wastewater treatment experience preferred.

- Strong science background

- Strong mechanical skills

- Laboratory skills and experience preferred

- Wastewater Treatment System knowledge and experience preferred

- Understanding of environmental regulations and good practices

- Ability to produce reports and develop/manage relevant policies

- Good knowledge of data analysis and risk assessment

- Excellent organizational and motivational skills

- Outstanding attention to detail and observation ability

- Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities

- Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the health, safety, and environmental field

- Collaborative problem solver who understands the complexities of a manufacturing environment

Certifications (preferred but not required):

- Wastewater Treatment System related certifications

- Certified Environmental Manager (CEM)

Confidentiality:

The WWTS Technician may be exposed to and entrusted with confidential information relative to production methods, customers, and company strategy.

Management Responsibility:

The WWTS Technician is a support function role that operates under the general direction of the EH&S Manager / Plant Manager.

Work Environment:

The WWTS Technician will support all facets of EHS at the facility but will focus on the WWTS. Must be capable of operating standard office equipment and seeing, grasping hold, walking, climbing, bending, stretching, and lifting up to 40 lbs. At times immersed in the plant production environment working near moving mechanical parts, corrosive chemicals, high-speed conveyors, and processing equipment where temperatures fluctuate, floors may be wet, and noise is a constant factor.

Pay: $28.08-$38.44/hr.*

*The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the positions qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.